Underwriters
TESTING LABORATORIES FORUM—UL QUESTION CORNER Laboratories Inc.®
How Can We Tell If A UL Listing Mark
is Counterfeit
Is the copper or aluminum counterfeiters go to work to profit Authentic
ribbon-bonding jumper at the expense of the public’s well
provided on dry type power being and a company’s reputation.
distribution transformers Each year, over 17 billion authen-
between the core and the enclo- tic UL Marks appear on products
sure intended as the main bonding that have been evaluated by UL for
jumper for grounding a separately safety from fire, electric shock, and
derived system? physical hazards. While incidents of
counterfeiting represent only a frac-
Dry type power trans- tion of a percentage point of all the
formers are Listed under legitimate UL labels used annually,
the UL product category UL is totally committed to aggres-
Power and General Purpose sive anti-counterfeiting activities.
Transformers, Dry Type (XQNX), e UL Listing Mark always in- Counterfeit
located on page 128 in the 2003 cludes as one element, the familiar
General Information for Electrical UL symbol (the UL in a circle) or
Equipment Directory (the White other specific formats authorized by
Book). e copper or aluminum UL. A legitimate Listing Mark also
ribbon bonding jumper that may contains three additional elements:
be provided between the enclosure 1) the word “LISTED”; 2) the
and the transformer core on dry product identity; and 3) a unique
type transformers is not intended four-character alphanumeric control
to be, nor is it sized to be the main number assigned by UL.
bonding jumper as required by e following warning signs may
2002 NEC Section 250.30(A)(1). be indicative of a product that does e product identity as indicated
ese bonding ribbons are intended not have UL Listing: in the Guide Information (this infor-
to provide continuity between the • A product whose label does not mation can be found in UL’s General
grounded transformer core and contain the four elements outlined Information for Electrical Equipment
the enclosure, often around rubber above. Directory, “ the White Book” for
isolating mounts to which the trans- • Any product that references each product category) is generally
former may be mounted. UL on the carton or on the product included as part of the UL Mark, but
itself but has no company name or may be omitted when, in UL’s opin-
How can we tell if a UL address. ion, the use of the name is unneces-
Listing Mark is counter- • Any product that references sary and the UL Mark is directly and
feit? Is there something UL on the carton, but not on the permanently applied to the product
we should look for? product itself. by stamping, molding, ink-stamping,
• Cheap, low quality workman- silk screening, or similar processes.
For over a century, the ship and/or packaging. e complete four element UL
UL Mark, has been • Marks with the letters “UL” side Mark will always appear on the
considered the American by side instead of staggered, the lack product unless the product is of
Symbol of Safety. Each of a control number, or the words such a size, shape, material or sur-
day, employees at UL go to work “Approved” or “Pending” instead of face texture that, in UL’s opinion,
for a safer world. On the other end, “LISTED” or “CLASSIFIED” is impossible to apply legibly that
98 IAEI NEWS March.April 2004 www.iaei.org
Underwriters
Laboratories Inc.® TESTING LABORATORIES FORUM—UL QUESTION CORNER
complete marking to the product. In Does UL take into account ated for use on fuel dispensing
these cases the complete UL Listing the chimney effect of gaso- location. Some units are provided
will then appear on the smallest unit line vapors through a vend- with a vapor barrier to prevent
container in which the product is ing machine when evaluat- vapors from f lowing through
packaged. It is important therefore ing these machines for use at service the unit above the 18-inch level.
to also check any packaging, boxes, stations? Also, is there an external These products are marked as
that the product came in. UL may marking to indicate that the units follows, “This product is to be
authorize the use of the UL symbol are suitable for an island? installed in accordance with the
on the product in addition to the National Electrical Code, NFPA
complete UL Mark on the package. UL Lists refrigerated vend- 70, the Automotive and Marine
UL has taken many rigorous ing machines for use on fuel Services Station Code, NFPA
steps, including introduction of holo- dispensing islands under the 30A, and Local Authority Hav-
graphic labels, color schemes specific product category, “Dispens- ing Jurisdiction,” and “Minimum
to each product category, and overt/ ing Devices, Control, Monitoring installation requirement of 18 in.
covert security coding, to maintain and Auxiliary Equipment” (EQXX). from any f lammable liquid dis-
the integrity of our Marks. e UL Guide Information can be pensing device.”
UL has an anti-counterfeiting op- found on page 49 of the 2003 Flam-
eration team specifically dedicated to mable and Combustible Liquids and
protection of UL’s Marks. For nearly Gases Equipment Directory. ese The special UL meetings for govern ment
ten years, UL and U.S. Customs vending machines have been found inspections provide us an excellent oppor tu nity
to ask questions of UL engineers and to clarify
have partnered in extensive and un- suitable for use over or in a Class I, UL requirements. The “UL Question Corner”
precedented nationwide anti-coun- Group D, Division 2 hazardous loca- answers questions of general interest that are sent
terfeiting efforts that have resulted tion that does not extend more than in from authorized government inspectors and we
in the seizure of millions of products 18 inches above grade. Vending ma- believe will have interest for many inspectors.
bearing counterfeit UL Marks. chines Listed in other product cate- Please send us questions you may have that
If you come across a suspicious are of general interest, and we will have UL engi-
gories have not been investigated for
neers answer them in a future issue. If space does
product referencing UL, or have any use in or over a hazardous location. not permit answering all questions received, we'll
questions on UL’s anti-counterfeit- is is consistent with NEC Article see that you get an an swer by letter.
ing and U.S. Customs programs, 514 (particularly Figure 514.3) and
contact Mr. Brian Monks in Mel- the Automotive and Marine Service Send your questions to:
UL Question Corner - IAEI News
ville, NY, by phone at 631-271- Station Code, NFPA 30A. PO Box 830848
6200, ext. 22856, or by e-mail at UL does consider airf low Richardson, TX 75083-0848
[email protected]. through units specifically evalu-
www.iaei.org March.April 2004 IAEI NEWS 99
